The 2015 OLAF report finds that investigations were conducted during a three-year period in 17 cases on the possible fraudulent use of European funds in Hungary. In 14 cases there has been a justified suspicion of embezzlement of EU funds. This means that in over 80% of the investigations funds were misused and recommendations were made.

Taking this into account, the signatories are concerned that large proportions of funds intended for infrastructure and employment programmes have been misused.

One example is a 6km-long train line to the Prime Minister’s countryside home that used EUR 1.9 million of taxpayers’ money. Claims that the line would be used by 2 560 — 7 080 people a day proved highly exaggerated with actual numbers amounting to only 30-50 passengers daily.

1. What steps has the Commission already taken to encourage Hungary to heed the recommendations made in the OLAF report?

2. Is the Commission informed about the activities of the Hungarian authorities and judicial proceedings in these cases, and how will a future EPPO help to better investigate such cases?

3. Can the Commission provide information on the money that has already been recovered and on what further steps will be taken to recover unduly paid funds?